ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
AGRI INDIA HACKATHON
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has started organising KRITAGYA- a National level hackathon in the month of August, 2020 to promote innovation in agriculture and allied sectors in the country.
Advantages of organising Agri-Hackathon are to give opportunity to the students along with faculties, innovators for showcasing their innovative approaches & technologies in agriculture and allied sectors.
Total number of applications received for this event are 784. Evaluation criteria comprises of uniqueness of the idea, its suitability, value proposition and plan to scale-up technology. Several innovations selected under this initiative focused on robotic harvesting of coconut/oil palm, real time detection of plant diseases and simultaneous site-specific application of pesticides and Women friendly equipment for small farm operations especially for sericulture and fish cutting.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has put in place an Institutional mechanism through Research Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras  and Agriculture Universities  to address the problems being faced by the farming sector.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Catch the rain campaiagn
Ministry of Jal Shakti is taking up a nation-wide campaign “Jal Shakti Abhiyan : Catch the Rain”  focusing on saving and conserving rainwater with the theme “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” from 22 March 2021 to 30 November, 2021 in the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods of 2021, covering both urban and rural areas of all the districts in the country.
National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti launched a campaign “Catch the Rain” with the tag line “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” in 2020 to nudge the states and all stakeholders to create Rain Water Harvesting Structures  suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata, with people’s active participation.
As a preparatory step for the "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" campaign in 2021, a massive awareness drive was launched on 21st December 2020 in collaboration with the "Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan"  involving Youth Clubs in 623 districts across the country including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Government is implementing a number of schemes for rainwater harvesting which include Atal Bhujal Yojana , Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme etc. Trainings, workshops, painting competitions, awards, seminars, water talks, webinars etc. are also held for awareness generation and for effective implementation of schemes and programmes on water conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Central Ground Water Board is implementing Aquifer Rejuvenation Project through Artificial Recharge in selected over-exploited blocks in the country under Aspirational District Programme. As a part of this Scheme, check dams, percolation tanks, sub surface barriers, recharge shafts and piezometers have been constructed in Pulivendula block in Andhra Pradesh and Bachennapet in Telangana.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Mines
Mines Ministry to Unveil “List of Critical Minerals for India”
Critical Mineral List Crucial to Strategic Sectors’ Growth
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Mines, is all set to unveil for the first time "the list of Critical Minerals for India" to ensure reduced import dependencies, enhance supply chain resilience and support the country's net zero objectives. The critical mineral list will be released by Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in the presence of Minister of State for Mines, Coal & Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve and other dignitaries. The august ceremony will be held at the India International Centre, New Delhi on 28th June 2023.
The event will be graced by prominent dignitaries including foreign dignitaries, industry representatives, subject matter experts and senior government officials. Key highlights of the Critical Minerals list will be showcased through a short documentary video and some of the major critical minerals will be displayed during the ceremony.
The release of the Critical Minerals List will mark a milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance and security in the domain of mineral resources. This meticulously compiled list is designed to identify and prioritize minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport and defence. The list will serve as a guiding framework for policy formulation, strategic planning and investment decisions in the mining sector.This initiative aligns with the larger vision of achieving ‘Net Zero’ target for India through Government's commitment to creating a robust and resilient mineral sector. It is worthy to note that India has recently become the newest partner in the coveted Mineral Security Partnership  to bolster critical mineral supply chains.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
NBCFDC & Apollo Medskills sign an MoU for Deliverance of Vaccine Administration Training to Nurses, Pharmacists Belonging to OBC Communities and EBC Persons Using Co-Funding of NBCFDC
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation  under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment & Apollo Medskills signed a Memorandum of Understanding  today for deliverance of Vaccine Administration Training to Nurses, Pharmacists belonging to the Other Backward Classes Communities and Economically Backward Classes persons using the co-funding of NBCFDC. The upskilling training of 09days will be carried out in the blended learning mode of E-learning and physical workshops as per the curriculum drawn from operating guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family, Govt. of India.
Over the next few months a few thousand persons are expected to be trained under this agreement to play a critical role as India proposes to vaccinate crores of its populations for protection against COVID-19. MoU was signed by Shri Suresh Kumar Sharma, DGM, NBCFDC & Shri Vishal Sinha, Head, Business Development & Corporate Relations, Apollo Medskillsin the presence of Shri K. Narayan, MD, NBCFDC & Dr. Srinivasa Rao, CEO, Apollo Medskills.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Time for Asia to shape its own stories of Human struggle against all odds, to brighten their future, says Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Col. Rathore gives away the World Television Awards 2018
It is time for Asia to shape its own stories of Human struggle against all odds, to brighten their future, said Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports  and Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, while addressing the closing session of the 15th Asia Media Summit 2018, here today. Asia is developing stronger socially and economically. How better the media can help the people visualize the information necessary for their development, especially in the social media age, is the most important take away from the two-day Summit, the Minister added.
Col. Rathore congratulated the organizers and complimented the 395 delegates from 41 countries for holding such critical discussions during the Summit that would help in exchanging the best practices across the Nations on media technology, content and new platforms. This would facilitate better regional cooperation in reaching out to millions of underprivileged Asians to utilize the information in best way for their development.
During the closing ceremony, the Minister gave away World Television Awards 2018, for two categories – Best TV documentary in Humanity category on ‘Migration or Immigration’, and Best TV Programme in Science/ Environment category on ‘Clean Water for Life’.
Journey on Foot "Homewards" directed by Hang Seok was awarded Best TV Documentary on Migration or Immigration under Humanity Category. This documentary was broadcast by KBS1 - Korea.
Blueprint for Survival: NEWater, directed by Mak Ying Kwan got the award for the Best TV Programme on Clean Water for Life under Science/Environment Category. It was broadcast by the channel News Asia, Singapore.
Giving the closing remarks, Mr. Chang Jin, Director Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development , summarized the agenda of the Summit and the important takeaways from the marathon sessions held.
During the last 4 days, 6 pre-summit workshops were held on topics including augmented reality and virtual reality, media law and ethics, mobile journalism etc. The 5 Plenary Sessions and 4 parallel sessions held included media regulation policies, new technologies in broadcasting and film industry to enhance storytelling, media business models in new era, sustainable development stories, community radio and CEOs roundtable sessions, among others.
Ministry of Rural Development
Houses for Middle Class and EWS Under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana 
80 lakh houses will be completed during the FY 2022-23 for the identified eligible beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
The Union Finance Minister in her budget speech for FY 2022-23 has announced that 80 lakh houses will be completed during the financial year for the identified eligible beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, both rural  and urban ; and Rs. 48,000 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
In order to achieve “Housing for All” in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin  with effect from 1st April, 2016 to provide assistance to eligible rural households with overall target to construct 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities. The eligibile households were those who were either houseless or had houses upto 2 kachcha rooms and figured either in Socio Economic Caste Census  based Permanent Wait List or Awaas Plus Survey. As on 16th March, 2022, cumulative 2.28 crore houses have been sanctioned by the States/Union Territories , out of which 1.75 crore houses have already been completed. During FY 2022-23, a total of 52.78 lakh PMAY-G houses are projected for completion.
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs under the vision of ‘Housing for All’, is supplementing the efforts of States/UTs by providing Central Assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Urban  for construction of houses for all eligible families/ beneficiaries especially Economically Weaker Sections , since 25.06.2015. Eligible beneficiaries can avail the benefit of PMAY-U through four verticals, i.e. Beneficiary-led Construction or enhancement , Affordable Housing in Partnership , ‘In-Situ’ Slum Redevelopment  and Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme . So far, around 1.15 crore houses have been sanctioned under PMAY-U, out of which, nearly 55.45 lakh have been completed/ delivered to beneficiaries and 28 lakh houses are slated for completion during FY 2022-23.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ms Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Lok Sabha Today.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Public Procurement Policy for MSMEs shows positive impact on aspects such as turnover, individual reputation, employment growth, and production capacity expansion
M/s Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India has conducted a third-party study of Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order, 2012 and submitted the final report to the Ministry of MSME on 16th October, 2022.
As per the findings of the Study, there is an overall appreciation of the Policy. The impact of the Policy on aspects such as, turnover, individual reputation, employment growth, and production capacity expansion is positive. The Government is conducting awareness programmes regarding the Policy.
The details of procurement made by CPSEs from Micro & Small Enterprises during the last three years are as under :-
|
|
Year
|
|
Total Procurement

|
|
Procurement from MSEs 

|
|
Procurement from MSEs owned by SC/ST

|
|
Procurement from MSEs owned by Women

|
|
2020-21

|
|
139,419.74
|
|
40,717.81


|
|
768.53


|
|
749.20


|
|
2021-22

|
|
164,512.84
|
|
53,483.02


|
|
1,290.87


|
|
1,660.43


|
|
2022-23
As on date 09.02.2023

|
|
139,322.27
|
|
47,733.27


|
|
1,182

(No. of MSEs Benefited-7705
|
|
1,412.03



This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
MJPS
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Ministry of Finance
Extension of closing date of late fee amnesty scheme and time limit for filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration under GST Act
The Government, vide Notification No. 19/2021- Central Tax, dated 01.06.2021, had provided relief to the taxpayers by reducing / waiving late fee for non-furnishing FORM GSTR-3B for the tax periods from July, 2017 to April, 2021, if the returns for these tax periods are furnished between 01.06.2021 to 31.08.2021. The last date to avail benefit of the late fee amnesty scheme, has now been extended from existing 31.08.2021 to 30.11.2021. [Refer Notification No. 33/2021- Central Tax, dated 29.08.2021].
Based on the multiple representations received, Government has also extended the timelines for filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration to 30.09.2021, where the due date of filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration falls between 01.03.2020 to 31.08.2021. The extension would be applicable only in those cases where registrations have been cancelled under clause  or clause  of sub-section  of section 29 of the CGST Act. [Refer Notification No. 34/2021- Central Tax, dated 29.08.2021].
The filing of FORM GSTR-3B and FORM GSTR-1/ IFF by companies using electronic verification code , instead of Digital Signature certificate  has already been enabled for the period from 27.04.2021 to 31.08.2021. This has been further extended to 31st October, 2021. [Refer Notification No. 32/2021- Central Tax, dated 29.08.2021].
The extension of the closing date of late fee amnesty scheme and extension of time limit for filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration will benefit a large number of taxpayers, specially small taxpayers, who could not file their returns in time due to various reasons, mainly because of difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic, and whose registrations were cancelled due to the same. Taxpayers are requested to avail the benefit of these extensions at the earliest to avoid last minute rush.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister praises ‘Sur Vasudha’, performed in honour of the delegates of the G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has praised ‘Sur Vasudha’, a musical marvel, performed in honour of the delegates of the G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi.
The orchestra consisted of musicians from 29 G20 member and invitee countries. It has celebrated the musical traditions with diverse instruments and vocalists singing in their native languages. The orchestra's enchanting tunes embodied the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family.
In response to a X thread of Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, Shri G Kishan Reddy, the Prime Minister said in a X post;
“A great way to highlight the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and that too from the eternal city of Kashi!”
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Over 72 lakh Domestic PNG Connections in India
Government is taking steps to enable growth of CGD sector in the country including allocating domestic natural gas to CGD sector as top priority under no cut category. As per data provided by PNGRB, as on 31.12.2020, the total number of domestic PNG connection in India was approximately 72.47 lakh.
Regular monitoring including meetings with other Central Government Departments and States Governments are held to increase the coverage of CGD network/PNG connection in the country. In this regard, various Ministries have issued guidelines for increased penetration of CNG/PNG in their jurisdiction and a few of them are:
- Public Utility Status granted to CGD Projects by Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- Ministry of Defence has issued guidelines for use of PNG in its residential area/unit lines.
- Department of Public Enterprises has issued guidelines to Public Sector Enterprises to have the provisions of PNG in their respective residential complexes.
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has directed to CPWD and NBCC to have the provisions of PNG in all Government Residential Complexes.
- Department of Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade notified amended rules 2018 to ease out process to set up CNG dispensing facilities at existing OMC Retail Outlets.
PNGRB has authorized 22 private operators to provide PNG to the houses during the last two years. They are in the process of establishing infrastructure as per the Minimum Work Programme. About 55,000 domestic PNG connections and about 260 CNG stations have been completed by them upto 31.12.2020.
IGL has informed that they are working towards providing PNG to all the households in its authorized GAs, including NCT of Delhi including for those who have deposited requisite amount for new connection, where PNG is available in the same locality, except for the cases wherein it is technically not feasible due to safety concerns.
Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board  is the authority to grant authorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution  network in Geographical Areas  as per PNGRB Act, 2006. PNGRB identifies GAs for authorizing the development of CGD network in synchronization with the development of natural gas pipeline connectivity, natural gas availability and techno commercial viability. So far as 232 GAs have been authorised for development of CGD network across the country upto 10th CGD bidding round covering more than 400 districts in the country in 27 States/Union Territories.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Formulation of the National e-Commerce policy and the new Industrial Policy under consideration of the Government
The formulation of the National e-Commerce policy and the new Industrial Policy is under consideration of the Government.
The draft National e-commerce policy seeks to create a facilitative regulatory environment for growth of e-commerce sector. It is aimed at empowering domestic entrepreneurs and to encourage Make in India while safeguarding interests of the consumers and facilitating job creation.
The proposed new Industrial policy seeks to boost competitiveness and growth of the manufacturing sector in India.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has introduced the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, which inter alia, seeks to specify the flow and usage of personal data, defines sensitive data and aims to create a framework for organisational and technical measures in processing of data, laying down norms for cross-border transfer and accountability of entities processing personal data.
On the 23rd February, 2019, the first draft of the National e-Commerce policy was placed in public domain for comments/ suggestions. Comments from over 120 stakeholders  were received.
A series of meetings have been held at the level of Secretary, DPIIT with different stakeholders, including major e-commerce companies, start-ups, industry associations, think-tanks, academicians etc. as well as data centre providers, logistics companies, export promotion councils to discuss the issues facing the sector and the provisions contained in the draft Policy.
Since e-Commerce is a new issue, it has necessitated detailed consultations over the last few months to ensure that the policy is crafted in a manner that interests of all stakeholders are taken in to account. Therefore, no timeline has been fixed for release of the same.
With regard to the new Industrial Policy, a Working Group has been constituted with representation from Central Ministries/Departments, State Governments, and industry associations. The Working Group is chaired by Secretary, DPIIT. The first meeting of the Working Group was held on 24th October, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DPIIT. Inter-ministerial consultation is currently going on for framing the new Industrial Policy.
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Seminar on Financial Prudence and Awareness for air Warriors
In an endeavour to educate and familiarise all Air Warriors on the finer aspects of financial planning on the personal front, the Indian Air Force on 09 September 2022 organised a day-long Seminar on all relevant current financial issues. The seminar titled "FINANCIAL PRUDENCE AND AWARENESS FOR AIR WARRIORS" was organised by IAF in collaboration with RBI at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi.
The Seminar sought to empower the Air Warriors in a manner so as to enable them to take sound and informed financial decisions in their personal lives. The RBI officials conducted talks on diverse topics ranging from financial awareness, bank frauds, the role of ombudsmen etc. Officials from SBI and other financial professionals also contributed in this endeavour, giving a multi-faceted exposure to the Air Warriors.
Approximately 400 Air Warriors across all ranks attended the seminar. It was also live-streamed across all Air Force Units and Formations to ensure maximum outreach irrespective of location.